It is during spring that you get to plant and enjoy all the colors. If like most people you love flowers in any shape and form they come in; this article will teach you a few things about the Springs Flowers that blossom and welcome in springtime.
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Benefits of Flowers:
The simple act of planting, tending to and growing flowers may seem minor, but it has significant benefits to the entire family. There are educational, environmental, social and health benefits that you can obtain.
If you have children, gardening with them will help you create memories that will last. Apart from being pretty, there are a few other benefits that flowers bring, to your overall health.
Emotional Improvements
Receiving flowers is always a great way to improve a person’s mood. If you grow your flowers, you will always have the opportunity to elevate your mood and that of a loved one. You also feel happier when you walk into your garden and see all those blooming flowers that you have helped grow.
When you are happier, you are likely to spread it to the people around you and cheer them throughout the day. Understand that being emotionally satisfied does not mean that you will be happy all the time. It says that you are aware of the emotions. You will be able to deal with both negative and positive emotions.
While you will still feel anger, stress, and sadness, you will know how to manage your feelings. You will see when you have more emotions than you can handle. Flowers help you relax and handle any challenges you may have. Having time alone away from all the noise will keep you sane enough to figure out the best choices to make.
Gardening works like meditation and breathing. It will allow you to manage your stress better thus keeping at bay stress-related conditions like high blood pressure and heart attacks.
Health Benefits
Gardening flowers allow you to have numerous health benefits by increasing the strength of your body. Doctors recommend that you get enough workouts each day to keep your metabolism working and your body free from harmful fats.
The CDC recommends that an adult should have at least 3 hours of exercise a week. Children should have at least 1 hour. If you have been falling behind this recommended schedule, gardening is the way to go. Your plants will need you to have much energy. (you can find plant nursery near you here)
From planting, gardening, weeding, and watering, you will have to engage in these physical activities. Keeping to a weekly workout will help you keep your cholesterol levels in check and strengthen your bones and muscles.
Another great benefit of using planting flowers is that you will be outside most of the time. One of the main side effects of staying indoors for too long is having unnaturally pale skin. You will also have low vitamin D.
As you are planting, watering or weeding your flowers, your skin will come in contact with the sun thus increasing the amount of vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D improves your body’s ability to absorb calcium thus enhancing the strength of your bones and teeth. However, do not forget to wear sunglasses and sunscreen to protect your skin and eyes.
Did you know that gardening also reduces your risks of getting dementia? Well, researchers have found that people who garden between the ages of 16 and 60 did not suffer dementia in their future years.
The Social Benefits
Sometimes, it is normal to feel lonely. Gardening is great for people who are unable to socialize. Instead of sitting behind the TV or updating their social media accounts, gardening is a significant activity that is fun and educational.
It is mainly because of the teamwork that is required to plant and get things done correctly. It is an excellent way of improving your bond as friends and as a family. You will soon find yourself wondering why you did not think of it sooner.
Educational Benefits
Before you embark on growing a particular species of flowers, you will have to do extensive research on the benefits and requirements of each species. As you garden with kids, you share your knowledge with them. Information that one day is passed on to their children. The internet is an excellent source of information.
Environmental Benefits
At this age when the effects of global warming are more adamant, growing flowers will help increase the oxygen levels on the planet. Through photosynthesis, the oxygen supply helps neutralize the carbon dioxide on the earth.
You will also increase the number of bees and birds which are the significant pollinators allowing plants to grow not just in your garden but also on other people’s farms. Flowers that make spring a genuinely magical season.
Tulips
Did you know that the tulip flower buds are almost perfectly symmetrical? The best way to know the arrival of spring is to check the bloom of tulips. They only bloom for three to seven days in the spring. These are spring blooming bulbous perennial plants that have one of the best flowers.
Their flowers have different colors and hues. Behind the Chrysanthemum and the rose, these are the third most popular flowers. They are scientifically called Tulipa and belong to the Liliaceae family. There are over 100 different species of tulips that grow all over the world. Some include Duc Van Tol, parrot, lily, Darwin, cottage, Augustus and Semper tulips.
At a glance, you will notice that it stands erect and has extremely broad leaves clustered at the base. Their flowers are cup-shaped and borne at the tip of the stem. Most plants only bear one flower.
However, there are some that defy these rules of nature and bare two or more flowers. If you are thinking of planting tulips, you will love them because they can bloom in almost every color in the rainbow and many other colors. They, however, do not thrive in true blue color only violet-blue.
The Meaning of Tulips
According to legends, the red tulips received their coloring by the blood of a real lover. Therefore, if you want to declare your love, red tulips will take the message home.
The red tulips are used worldwide to declare one’s love. They are not too elegant, too big, too tiny, too romantic or too bright. They are always just right. Like a comfortable pair of jeans for a mom, tulips make you feel genuine comfort and coziness.
The Meaning of Each Color:
- Red – it means real love
- Purple – it symbolizes loyalty
- Cream – they say “I will always love you.”
- White – they symbolize worthiness. The flower also sends a message of forgiveness. These are the perfect way to say “I am”
- Yellow – these represent hopeless love and recently cheerful thoughts
- Variegated tulips – represent beautiful eyes due to their striking patterns
- Pink tulips – show love and affection
- Orange tulips – represent energy, passion, enthusiasm and desire
Generally, most people think that tulips symbolize indulgence and abundance.
History of Tulips
They grew initially in Turkey and Persia. At the time, they were an excellent source of inspiration not only to the people’s culture but also to artists. This inspiration is why most Turkish traditions involved wearing tulips in one’s turban. In fact, the name tulips mean headgear in Persian.
As the Europeans began being taken by the tulips, so did the world. While they grow in the whole world, most people only notice the varieties grown in the Dutch. Interestingly, Holland went through a phase known as Tulipomania where the citizens developed all kinds of tulips.
To this day, the landscape there is created by colorful gardens of tulips which also act as tourist attractions. Keukenhof, Netherlands is the world’s most massive tulips display. The Netherlands also benefit greatly, economically, from exporting tulips.
How to plant tulips
- Always plant your tulips during the fall. About 6-8 weeks before the hard frost comes in and when the soil is about 60 degrees F. for most places, this is between September and October or between October and November.
- The bulbs will not survive above the ground for too long. Therefore make sure that you have planted them as soon as you buy them.
- Choose a site that receives both sun and rain but not too much of each. A place that only gets the morning sun is most ideal.
- If you live in areas that receive mild sun, make sure that you freeze the bulbs for about 12 weeks before you plant them.
- Use a garden fork to loosen the soil and make a depth of approximately 12-15 inches (you can use Tulip Bulb Planter too)
- Fill 4 inches of this depth with compost then plant the bulbs.
- The point of digging more in-depth than you will be planting the bulb is to increase drainage and allow their roots to spread as far as possible.
- Set the bulb with its pointy end up, and cover will soil
- Water them right after you have planted them. while they do not particularly love the moisture, watering them will trigger growth
- Provide them with a balanced fertilizer. It should contain all the nutrients it will need for the entire year
How to Plant Tulips in the Winter
- If possible, loosen the soil. If it is not possible, choose an area where the earth is full of organic matter
- Pour some fertilizer in the hole you have made. Where the grounds are entirely frozen, scatter the fertilizer sparingly. Spread it over a larger area than you normally would.
- Place the bulbs on the soil. This action will damage the base of the bulb allowing the roots to begin forming
- Cover the bulbs with compost or aged mulch to create a thicker layer especially if you are planting at the peak of winter
- Keep renewing the mulch to ensure that there is at least a 2-inch layer covering the bulbs.
Benefits of Tulips
- Tulips are not gifts and decorations. They are also great for other purposes.
- They brighten up your home
- They are edible and are used to texture and color foods. In Afghanistan, tulips are food for gaining strength.
- The petals are crushed and used to soothe rashes and bee stings
- They are also used to remove blemishes from the skin
- They are sources of inspiration that date as far back as the Persian poets
Types of Tulips
Tulips are the grandest stars of April and may. They are rich in color, have silky petals and look elegant which make them the most ornamental plants of the spring season. There are over 75 species. However, here are a few most popular species.
Darwin Hybrids
The Darwin hybrid tulips produce a long-lasting flower with a sturdy stem and vibrant colors. They are great for the landscape and perform well for several years. They are, therefore, the best perennial tulips available, they bloom in mid-season and grow well because they are wind and weather resistant. You can buy these bulbs on Amazon where their freshness is guarenteed.
Triumph Tulips
These make up the largest group of tulips and the most commonly grown. They have the most extensive variety of colors. Their stems are medium-length and are great for short-term and force budding. They also do well in containers, so they grow in areas colder than zone 7. This pack in perfect for your garden.
Double Tulips
These are semi-double to double flower that lasts long and look somewhat like double peonies. They are great candidates for forcing and bedding. They bloom with the early daffodils and hyacinths. The shorter varieties are great for planters and window boxes. These stunning red and white Tulips will make every garden breathtaking.
Fosteriana Tulips
These are huge and long flowers that are rich in color and that create vivid displays. They are perfect for landscaping in Europe, but they are not as popular in the United States. Fosteriana tulips such as these Orange Emperors are excellent for naturalizing, forcing and perennializing.
They have worm yellow and orange flowers that harmonize well with hot colored selections. You can always under-plant other flowers like pansies for maximum contrasts.
Greigii Tulips
These Red Riding Hood Greigii Tulips are reliable perennial tulips that have lovely purple stripped or purple mottled foliage. The flowers are chalice shaped and open up wide to reveal their interiors color variations. They are midseason bloomers that are the perfect companions for daffodils.
Parrot Tulips
The parrot tulip, such as the ArtEdge, is feathery-edges and has heavily scalloped and fringed blooms. They are a stunning cut flower that provokes admiration. Parrot tulips are depicted in most European paintings because they are full and big. They need protection from heavy rains and winds.
Single Early Tulips
These often bloom in the colder weather and therefore thrive longer than later tulips. They complement violas, pansies, and hyacinths perfectly. Single early tulips are great for both containers and beddings. They are also excellent for forcing.
How to Care for Tulips in a Pot
When planted in a window box, tulips brighten your home and bloom faster. Tulips respond well to forcing. Forcing encourages them to thrive sooner than they usually would and break the cold winter dormancy. Here are a few things you should know before potting your tulips:
- The pot should be about 6 inches in diameter
- The soil should be halfway moistened
- Put the bulb on top of the soil with the pointed end about 1 inch above the soil
- In the pot, space the bulbs about 1 inch away from each other
- Water the ground till it is moist
- Place the planter in a plastic bag and seal it
- Store at a location that is between 35 and 48 degrees F for about ten weeks. If the outdoor temperatures are too hot, consider putting it in a refrigerator. Water as soon as it begins to dry out.
- Take the pot out of the fridge and remove the plastic bag as soon as the shoots start to show. Place the pot at a place where it can receive the full sunlight. Water them until you notice moisture at the bottom of the planter. Let it drain for about an hour then empty the moisture collected in the drip tray
- Remove all flowers that have finished blooming. If the bulbs do not bloom anymore, make sure you dispose of them after the foliage is yellow and dies back naturally
How Much Water do Tulip Bulbs Need?
The watering of tulips is mainly about minimalism. Once you have planted your bulbs in the autumn, you can forget about them because they do not need much water and can quickly rot if they stay in the stagnant water.
Always plant your bulbs in dry or well-drained soil. They should get watered just once after they are planted to trigger growth. After this watering, leave them alone. Therefore keep your irrigation system away from your tulips. If there is a long drought, water them weekly to keep the soil moist.
How to Care For Fresh Cut Tulips
- Tulips are magnificent, and they can last up to 10 days after being cut if they are cared for correctly. The key is always to make sure that you have selected fresh blooms.
- When bringing them home, wrap them in a paper towel that is soaked in clean water to prevent premature death.
- Cut about 0.6 cm from the base of the stems to allow them to soak and absorb the water readily.
- Remove any leaves from the stem of the The leaves may start rotting.
- For display, choose a suitable vase that covers at least half of the height of the tulips. This vase will offer better support because the tulips will bend eventually.
- Ensure that the jar is clean and fill it with fresh water.
- Place the stems strategically so that each stem has enough space to keep them from crushing each other.
- Keep the water in the vase clean.
- You can also add some flower food and preservatives.
True Lilies
Did you know they are just as poisonous as they are pretty?
The perennial lily never indeed goes dormant. It is an international flower that has eternal beauty and strength. Its elegant look makes it perfect for all cultures. They develop tunicless scaly underground bulbs that allow them to perennialize.
Their flowers are large and fragrant. They also have a wide variety of colors including oranges, yellows, reds, pinks, and purples. Their markings include brush strokes and spots.
It is a flower that blooms in the late spring and sometimes in the summer. They belong to herbaceous flowering plants. Their scientific name is the Lilium longiflorum.
There could be numerous types of lilies. However, if they do not fit the organizational groups like the water lily or the daylilies, they are not considered in the lilies category.
It is History
According to legends, lilies were from the breast milk of Zeus’ wife, Hera. In a fit of jealousy, the Roman goddess of beauty, Venus wanted to destroy the beauty of the lily and caused a pistil to grow from the flower’s center.
A well known explorer who was intrigued by the lily is Augustine Henry. He went on to become a grower and eventually developed the orange lily and thus its name Lilium henyii or henry’s lily.
The first records of the lily are in the 1580 BC in Crete. As the European explorers traveled around the world in search of medicinal plants, they came upon lilies and switched their jobs from finding medicines to discovering new species of the flower.
The Symbolic Meaning of the Lily
For both pagans and Christians, Spring Flower symbolize purity, rebirth, and royalty. This reason is why the Easter lily is adorned in most churches during Easter to represent the resurrection of Christ. Some Christians believe that lilies grew in the areas where the blood of Jesus poured as he hung on the cross at Calvary.
The lilies are also used to symbolize the Virgin Mary because she was pure and chaste. The lilies also represent:
- Fertility and motherhood
- Renewal and rebirth
- Purity and beauty of the youth
- Regal and royalty
- Drive and passion
Poisonous Lillies
Certain species can cause fatal reactions and death. The Star Lily is also called the death camas. If eaten, it causes your throat, mouth, and tongue to go numb. It can also cause paralysis of the nervous system although these consequences will depend on how much of it gets ingested. Lilies from the valleys and gloriosa lilies can cause death.
Making contact with the sap produced by lilies can cause skin irritation.
Caring for lilies
- Plant them in a raised bed for proper drainage
- Plant them in clusters for the best landscape look
- If your areas have excessive rains, plant them on their sides to keep them from rotting
- Add garden lime to acidic soils
Daffodils
Did you know they are called lent lilies in Europe?
Daffodil is the name given to any plant that falls in the genus Narcissus. These include paperwhites and jonquils. For many people, however, Daffodils refer to a trumpet-shaped flower that blooms early during spring.
The History of Daffodils
From their name Narcissus, you must have familiarized it with narcissists. No? Well, now you are associating the two. The history of the Narcissus Genus of flowers derived from a somewhat narcissistic individual known as Narcissus.
As the legends would have it, he got outstanding looks by the gods. However, the condition was that he should not view his reflection or there would be consequences. As long as he did not see himself, he was to be beautiful and immortal. While hunting in the woods one day, a nubile wood nymph saw him and fell desperately in love with himself, but he spurned her.
She was devastated by his rejection and the love she had for him that she began being consumed by these feelings. After a while, all that remained of her was her voice. A goddess called Nemesis heard about echo’s pain and decided to do something about it. She lured Narcissus to a shimmering lake where he was unable to resist viewing his reflection.
After seeing his reflection, he fell in love with himself. As soon as he began admiring himself, the penalty begain taking effect. He started fading away. The place where he stood bloomed a garden of a golden flower named after him.
In Europe and Africa, these plants have flourished both in areas at sea level, woodlands, meadows and in rocky places. The most abundant variety of the species are in Spain, Morocco. Western France, Portugal, and Italy. They were initially wildflowers. However, in 300 BC, they were introduced to gardens.
The earliest form of Narcissus has described in the nine-volume ‘Enquiry into plants’ by a Greek philosopher and botanist. The Romans brought the daffodils to Britain because they thought the sap from the flowers had a medicinal element. However, the juice has crystals that irritate when they come in contact with the skin.
Initially, daffodils were not the tall sturdy, and beautiful looking flowers enjoyed today. They were quite small. Their popularity as cultivated plants has encouraged thousands of cultivars to breed. Most have brightly colored coronas which may be yellow, pink, orange, white, green, red or a combination of these colors.
Types of Daffodils
There are over 13000 distinct varieties of Narcissus. However, only a handful are true daffodils characterized by large petals and coronas which resemble trumpets. There are significant and small cupped daffodils.
- Jonquilla- its flowers appear in clusters of up to 15 flowers
- Tazetta flowers grow in groups of at least 4 and as many as 20 flowers coming from one stem
- Split-corona- its corona is not fused and looks like a ring of petals
- Poeticus- only grows one flower per petal with large white flowers whose coronas are small and brightly colored
- Triandus- the stem sprouts a minimum of two flowers
- Double daffodils have two sets of petals, two coronas or both
- Cyclamineus as petals that flare from the corona.
Meaning of Daffodils
Giving a bouquet of daffodils ensures the recipients’ happiness. However, gifting just one daffodil means that bad luck may be on the horizon. Also, if you see the first daffodil to sprout, you should expect a series of excellent fortune the following year.
These are also the ten-year anniversary flowers. Avoid putting daffodils with other flowers because their sap is poison to other plants.
How to Grow and Care for Daffodils
- Plant the bulbs in the fall about 2-4 weeks before the ground freezes
- Choose a place that receives sunlight in the mornings
- These grow well in moderately fertile and well-drained soils
- They prefer slightly acidic soil
- Choose bulbs that have not dried out yet
- Plant at least 3 inches deep and cover them with soil adequately
- Give them at least three inches of space all around
- Do not fall into the temptation of uncovering spring flowering plants
- The best thing about daffodils is that they will always grow the next year. Remember to remove the leaves after they begin to yellow.
How to Care for Cut Daffodils
- Always buy them when they are slightly closed because they will open up after you water them
- Because of their poisonous sap, keep daffodils with other daffodils and ensure that your dog does not come in contact with them as the sap can cause death to dogs
- Use room temperature water and a clean vase
- They prefer shallow waters
- Add some flower preservatives
- Always cut them by the size of your jar
- Remove their protective husks
- To allow them to last longer repeat these steps every two days
Hyacinth
Did you know March 7th is the official hyacinth day?
The Hyacinth, such as the Water Hyacinth is a spring flowering plant that has long narrow leaves, lengthwise folded. They often bloom in dense clusters and are so fragrant; they can perfume your entire garden. There are about 30 plants in the Hyacinthus genus.
Their flowers open and look like starfish. They often bloom at the same time as tulips and daffodils. These come in a variety of colors including wine red, cream, rose, pink, apricot, cobalt blue, lavender, deep purple and white. They are relatively easy to grow and do not require too much attention.
The History of Hyacinths
The first mentioning of the Hyacinths is by the great poet of Greece called Homer in the Iliad. He said that it was amongst the flowers that formed the couch that Hera queen of heaven and earth sat on.
The Greeks previously called it jacinths which were Latin for a precious stone that is often blue. While it is not clear whether the Romans brought them home and grew them, the Ovid and Virgil referred to them in their festivals and calendars. They are native to Eastern Mediterranean.
Legend has it that the plant grew from the blood of Laconian a youth loved by Apollo who was the blame for his death. The god of the sun, Apollo, and the god Zephyr the god of the west wind both adored the youth also called Hyakinthos.
While Apollo taught him how to throw a discuss one day, Zephyr grew jealous and blew the discus which came back and hit Hyakinthos in the head killing him instantly. The flower that grew from his blood carries the name Hyakinthos after him. The petals have the words ‘AI’ engraved to it. These letters are a cry of grief.
The Meaning of the Flower
This highly fragrant, the bell-shaped flower is a symbol of sincerity and constancy.
How to Plant Hyacinths
Outdoor Beds
- Get a location where the soil drains properly. A great way to make sure the soil drains well is to check whether there are water puddles a few hours after it rains.
- The holes should be 8 inches deep and 4 inches apart.
- After planting, water them thoroughly to settle the soil around the bulbs
- You can cut the flowers as soon as they begin blooming
- After they have finished blooming, set them in place and avoid cutting them off. The bulb will bloom the following year again
For Pots and Tubs
- Fill the container with well-drained and good quality soil
- Make sure you place the bowl in areas that receive sunlight
- Keep the spacing and depth like the in the outdoor gardens; 8 inches deep and 4 inches apart
Water Well
- Once they bloom, you can snip a few flowers if you want
- Once the blooming is over, make sure that you leave the foliage in place
Snowdrops
Did you know that snowdrops contain chemicals that can help you get better sleep?
Snowdrops such as the super1798 are one of the first flowers to appear during spring. It has its way of working through the snow to creating an elegant irresistible bloom. They often grow to be 4 inches tall and make an excellent ground cover in the garden. They are great for forcing and can thrive in pots and containers during winter.
History
They are from the genus Galanthus and got their name from the combination of both Latin and Greek words. The Greeks named it milk flower while the Latin called it nivalis meaning resembling snow. Numerous legends explain its origin.
According to legend, after God cast Eve and Adam out of the Garden of Eden, Eve was distraught. God sent forth continuous snow so that the land became barren. She always sat weeping. To comfort her, an angel caught one snowflake and breathed upon it. As the chip hit the earth, it gave birth to a snowdrop, and thus they became symbols of hope.
A German legend explains that God created snow and gave it the task of visiting flowers of the earth to gather colors. All flowers refused it hit the snowdrop. It was kind and generous, and snow made a deal with the flower that it would break through snow and be the first to bloom during spring.
The Moldovan legend says there was a fight between the lady spring and the winter witch which brought forth the snowdrop. During the battle, the spring lady pricked her finger, and as her blood fell to the ground, it melted the snow and forth grow the most beautiful snowdrop. This act was the first sign that the spring lady has won against the winter witch.
What the Flower Means
The snowdrop is a sign of hope, purity, rebirth, and sympathy.
Growing Tips
Snowdrops are resilient and proliferate. While they look delicate, they are stronger than they seem. They multiply fastest and thrive in deciduous hedges that benefit from leafy soils. These do not need feeding and are not fussy about the PH of the land where they get planted.
However, you have to make sure that the plants have enough sunlight. Too much will dry them and make them redundant. Excessive watering will cause the bulb to rot.
Conclusion
Spring flowers make the season joyful and marvelous. Their different fragrances, the different colors and the fact that they all have lovely symbols when gifted to friends make them amazing. It would never be spring if not for these flowers. The best part is that most of these flowers do not need too much care. A little goes a long way.
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